This is the blog where I write everything that inspires and blesses my daily life. But also about my everyday struggle living with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Sannel Larson

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Living With Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - I'm Still in Pain!

Even after all this time since I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, I can tell that most of the people who are close to me, have absolutely no clue what it means to live with these illnesses.

Perhaps it's my own fault, I may not have explained thoroughly what kind of effect these two illnesses does have on me and my life? After all, most of the time, I'm embedded in this thick fog, called fibro-fog, with the outcome, my mind and speech does not cooperate, and often, I have difficulties remembering words. When I try to explain, it usually do not come out the way I had planned it in my own head, and it may sound unclear and confusing to you, and believe me, it's extremely confusing to me, with the outcome, I feel dumb and slow.

Perhaps it's because when my friends and family do see me, they see me only on those days when I feel fairly well, not realizing, my pain is still with me and so are my exhaustion. They assume, I must feel fine, pain free and full of energy, since I join them for a stroll in the park or go shopping together. They do not understand, it's tiring and exhausting to present myself to them as normally as possible, not letting them understand how much pain I'm in.

This chronic fatigue and pain-based illnesses can fluctuate quite rapidly from one day to another. Or from one hour to another. Just because, I took a nice walk in the forest yesterday, doesn't necessarily mean, I can repeat this today. And since I took that nice walk in the forest yesterday, my pain and fatigue have escalated. and I'll pay for it dearly today, the day after, and many times, even longer.

On those days when I'm up and around, I feel strong mentally. That's the only difference from those days when I can't crawl up from bed, but remember, I'm hanging on by the thinnest of threads since my pain and exhaustion are pretty bad. Each step I take in the park are filled with pain and exhaustion. The loud noise in the movie theater is terrible painful to my ears, and it will take days to recover from it. All those cars and people on the street, leaves me unfocused and tired. The bright lights and loud noises in the stores, turn my fibro-fog into a nightmare. Trying to follow a conversation leaves my mind and body exhausted .

So please, do not assume I'm fine just because you see me up and walking. Do not assume I'm pain free and full of energy. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. It takes all of my willpower and energy to be up and out of my safe, quiet environment. However, I too, want to live once in a while, so I push myself to do things, but please remember, I'm still in pain, and tomorrow, I'll pay for it dearly.

4 comments:

Thank You for Sharing. Understood. Another step upward taken with acknowledgment. And, too, knowing the direction taken is true. The map now has newness with adding too, a note for remembering this experience for the next, of the tomorrow. Wisdom a gift blessed of friendship, simple enough. Thank You, as we walk sharing, learning, and mostly accepting unconditionally . . . .

Sannel, this must be a very frustrating part of your illness; having people assume by your mere presence that you are feeling fine. It must be tiring and exhausting to present yourself to the world as normally as possible and not have them know you are there hanging on by the thinnest of threads. Even when you are feeling fairly well, they don't understand that by being there today you will pay for it dearly tomorrow and the day after and the day after.

Thank you for your transparency and honesty about living with Fibromyalgia and CFS. I admit I was completely ignorant about these illnesses until I met you. You and your blog posts have opened my eyes and given me a new sensitivity and compassion for people who suffer from these and other chronic, debilitating diseases. Thank you and keep up the good work, my friend!

Rick, sorry for my very late reply to your comment. It has been one of those difficult weeks, you know? How fortunate I am to have met such caring and understandable friends like you, Rick who reads about my daily struggle and are willing to learn along the way, and by doing that, helping me out in the process. Not even my family or close friends care, or have the time to do that. That says a whole lot! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Take care,Sannel

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Sannel Larson

Hello, my name is Sannel and welcome to my world in a nutshell. Writing and illustrating is my life, and through this site, I'll share with you my interests and thoughts on life, and that could be about absolutely anything and everything. If you are interested in poetry, please visit my other blog " Sannel's World of Poetry" and take a look at some of my work. Enjoy your stay here, and I hope to see you soon again. Hugs, Sannel